Een muze der muziek, zittende vrouw met bazuin 1657 - 1707

Hendrik Bary created this print of a seated muse holding a trumpet in the Netherlands sometime in the 17th century. This print participates in a long tradition of depicting the muses of classical mythology, and, as such, reveals much about the cultural values of its own time. The use of classical imagery was very common in the 17th century. This suggests that the artist and his audience valued the art and culture of the ancient world. This print is part of the collection of the Rijksmuseum, a Dutch national museum dedicated to arts and history in Amsterdam. Examining prints such as this helps us to better understand the history of art institutions and the cultural values that shape them. By studying the social and political context in which art is made, we can gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.